United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys announces $292,410 in grants to 8 nonprofits

United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys (UW Valleys) is pleased to announce grant awards totaling $292,410 to eight area nonprofits through the Otto Bremer Trust’s Community Responsive Grants program. UW Valleys is a grant funding intermediary partner with Otto Bremer Trust.

The grant awards were made to the following organizations: Positive Alternatives, River Falls; Arbor Place, Menomonie; St. Croix Therapy, Hudson; Hudson Hospital, Hudson; Amery Regional Medical Center, Amery; Western Wisconsin Health, Baldwin; Osceola Medical Center, Osceola; Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, River Falls.

Funding is for one or more of the following focus areas:

• Health-related access and services for children.

• Support for children with physical/cognitive disabilities.

• Support for access to and delivery of mental health services, with preference given to work that addresses the needs of children aged 5-15.

• Capital projects that support the maintenance of hospitals, construction of facilities, and purchase of medical equipment.

“United Way is so pleased to partner with the Otto Bremer Trust on their Community Responsive Fund grants to support area nonprofits doing this vital work in our communities,” said Steve McCarthy, Executive Director of UW Valleys. 

Grant recipients shared how this support will impact their organizations and communities:

"Feeling the support of our community means everything to us,” said Jill Gamez, Arbor Place Executive Director. “The generosity of UW Valleys and the Otto Bremer Trust helps keep our doors open and sends a powerful message that we stand together to fight the stigma of substance use." 

“This generous donation for our enhanced care nursery will allow us to provide care to more premature and sick newborns,” said Erika Schendel, Hudson Hospital Foundation Director. “It’s a critical investment in the health and well-being of families in our communities. We are grateful to be receiving this support.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Otto Bremer Trust for their generous funding to support our new helipad, and to the United Way for serving as the intermediary to make this possible,” said Ryma Lindquist, Community Relations Director for Western Wisconsin Health. “This investment will directly impact the lives of patients in our region by ensuring faster, more efficient emergency transport when every minute counts. Their commitment to strengthening access to lifesaving care truly reflects the spirit of community, and we are honored to partner with them in advancing the health and well-being of those we serve.”  

Amery Hospital & Clinic’s Foundation Director, Lisa Ruehlow, said “We are immensely grateful for this impactful Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund grant, which provides funding for an important capital safety project at our Luck Clinic. We appreciate the generous partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust and United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys to help our hospital’s goal to provide excellent care, close to home.” 

The Amery Hospital & Clinic actually has seven sites, two of which are in Luck.

“This generous grant helps to accomplish our Foundation’s mission to improve health and well-being for patients, families and our communities,” noted Ruehlow. 

To learn more about how UW Valleys and the Otto Bremer Trust are supporting our communities in western Wisconsin, visit uwvalleys.org.

UW Valleys is dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities in western Wisconsin. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, UW Valleys works to address the root causes of social issues and create lasting impact in the region.

Media release.